However a growing number of psychologists and behavioral scientists are finding evidence that our brains are hard- wired for mistakes in today social environment, especially when it comes to assessing personality and predicting behavior of people we encounter.

Why are we so bad at reading intentions of others? Built on top of older "emotional" parts of our mamallian circuitry, there is a "rational" cerebral cortex. The two are often at odds, and under surface, our protective instincts are always lurking. Unfortunately "emotional" circuitry frequently overwhelms "rational" cortex. We simply give more weight to elements in personality of people we encounter that supports our beloved preconceptions than to any evidence to contrary. Thus we frequently completely miss target and pay a price for our misjudgments.

ARBITARY OBSESSIONS... The frontal lobes have fallen in love with our preconceptions. This hard-wired programming undercuts us in a host of sadly familiar ways. The most common is how our preconceptions and prejudices distort perception of individuals we wish to assess.

CONFIRMATION BIAS... It's our all too natural ability to convince ourselves of whatever it is that we want to believe. How? We simply give more weight to events that support our desired prejudice or preconception than to any evidence to contrary.

As I walked into my room, what was about to happen would change my life......forever! I went directly to "mini bar", opened door, got on my hands and knees, and ate everything there.

Oh, I started out with good intentions. I had only consumed 1000 calories so far during day. My body weight was around 198, so I could have almost 2000 calories daily and not gain weight. I had plenty of calories to spare.

I started out with M&M’s. One bag, 240 calories, no problem. Next I happened to see a bag of chocolate chip cookies, two for 270 calories, again, no problem. Next I saw Orio cookies, then a bag of Barbecue potato chips. Next a Mars Bar, then another bag of M&M’s, this time with nuts, then something I would never ordinarily eat, marsh mellows and Rice Crispies, combined into some type of a one serving square.

It went on and on. I ate over 4000 calories that night. It’s ok, though, I thought. I’ll just write them down on my calorie chart, I’m accountable after all. Then I’ll just pick up my workouts and burn an additional two hundred calories per work out next week. That along with a decrease in my intake ought to get me right back where I should be.

That type of thinking was absolutely correct. I would increase my expenditure, decrease my intake, and I would be back down in weight next week except for one thing...

...I would always be playing catch up. I would always have that extra five to ten pounds that I know I can lose and will someday.

It was that mini bar experience that made me realize that I had a problem...

The problem was HUMAN NATURE!

There is a well known principle in law of human behavior which states following:

"All human performance is either avoidance of Pain or seeking of Comfort!"

This is referred to as human performance law. I like to use analogy of principle of gravity. It doesn’t matter if you understand principle of gravity. It doesn’t matter if you believe in principle. The principle will apply it’s effect in your life regardless of your attitude or understanding of it.

The same is true with human nature. All human beings are driven by avoidance of anything that they perceive as uncomfortable, or painful, and driven to anything that they perceive as pleasure or comfort.